Boxing

Every boxer's gotta have a lucky charm ... and for Floyd Mayweather, it's clearly Justin Bieber ... who popped up at the news conference Wednesday just in time for the photo op.

Bieber and Mayweather have been boys for years -- in fact, Justin has famously walked Floyd to the ring in previous fights.

Justin didn't sit on the stage during the speeches -- but as soon as Floyd and Manny posed with the honchos, JB was glued to his hip ... reppin' for The Money Team.

As for Manny, there were no pop stars in his crew -- then again, he does his own singing ... sorta.

Ronda Rousey has a message for Laila Ali -- BRING IT ON!!!!

The undefeated UFC champ has just responded to Muhammad Ali's daughter (an undefeated ex-pro boxer) who told TMZ Sports no woman alive could beat her in a fight ... including Rousey.

In fact, when we shot Ali earlier this week ... she took a shot at Ronda's size -- saying, "She’s like the size of my daughter, my 3-year-old."

So, how does Rousey feel about that?

"If she wants to take me up on that, I’m around," Rousey told the Daily Beast.

"She’s retired and has several kids. I understand why she’d think that because she has a size advantage, but if you saw my last fight it had nothing to do with size or strength at all. That’s not how I beat people."

"So you can’t count having a size and strength advantage as having a real advantage against me."

Ali hasn't fought since 2007 ... but c'mon, who wouldn't pay to see this?!

Cool moment with Denzel Washington at the big NBC Fight Night special ... the actor fought off crowds and cameras to say "what up" to an ex-boxing champ who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident ... and the moment was caught on video.

Washington is a big boxing fan ... and was in Las Vegas to watch Keith "One Time" Thurman beat the hell out of Robert Guerrero on March 7.

But while he was there, Denzel got word that Paul "The Punisher" Williams was in the arena ... the 2-time WBO Welterweight Champ whose incredible boxing career was cut short in 2012 when he crashed his motorcycle and was paralyzed from the waist down.

According to Williams (who was 43-2 as a pro) ... "Everyone was snapping pics of him and he was trying to get to me lol."

And to make the moment even sweeter, Williams says Denzel is his all-time favorite actor.

Laila Ali tells TMZ Sports ... there's NO WOMAN ALIVE who could beat her in a fight ... and that includes UFC superstar Ronda Rousey.

Muhammad Ali's daughter -- who was 24-0 in her boxing career -- was at LAX this weekend when we asked if she thought she could hang with the MMA superstar if the two ever decided to fight.

At first, the 37-year-old champ was shy ... saying it's hard to compare a boxer to an MMA fighter ... but ultimately declared, "No woman can beat me, period."

The 5'10" Ali also pointed out her size advantage over the 5'7" Rousey -- "She's like the size of my daughter ... my 3-year-old."

What does boxing superstar Keith Thurman have in common with Ron Burgundy? They both LOVE the flute!

With the 26-year-old preparing for his big NBC "Fight Night" bout against Robert Guerrero, Keith told "Premier Boxing Champions" he's getting his mind right with some flute sessions.

"I find it really relaxing," Thurman said.

Apparently, the whole thing helps Keith get focused ... and it's worked so far -- the guy is 24-0 with 21 KOs.

And if the whole boxing thing doesn't work out, he could always get a job as a musical director at a spa.

Mike Tyson has finally weighed in on the fight of the century ... telling TMZ Sports he likes Manny Pacquiao to beat Floyd Mayweather on May 2nd.

But when it comes to putting his money where his mouth is ... don't expect Tyson to make a 50 Cent style $1.6 MILLION bet on the fight.

"I don't have the money!"

Tyson's never been shy about his financial situation -- he made more than $300 MILLION during his boxing career ... only to end up broke.

But now, Mike's way more responsible when it comes to his cash -- and plans to hold on to it by not making crazy bets.

If Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio or Rihanna want FREE seats to the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight -- it'll be no problem at all -- as long as they're down to be a walking billboard.

Tickets are in such high demand, fight promoters aren't handing out comped front row seats to high profile stars like they usually do. Instead, they'll be forced to pay up to $100k or more ... just like normies.

But we've learned there's another option. If a celeb is willing to endorse companies by wearing logo-emblazoned gear at the fight -- that company will eat the ticket cost.

For instance, we're told VOCO Vodka & Coconut Water has already made such offers to Leo, RiRi, and Big Willie ... in exchange for front row seats.

We know what you're thinking, but sorry ... you in a VOCO cap just ain't the same as Rihanna in one.

Enjoy the PPV.

How much does confidence cost? If you're 50 Cent, about $1.6 million ... 'cause that's how much the hip-hop star says he's going to bet on his old frenemy Floyd Mayweather Jr. to beat Manny Pacquiao.

50 and his G-Unit runnin' mate Tony Yayo sat down with "The Breakfast Club" this morning -- when Charlamagne Tha God asked Fiddy for his pick for the mega-fight in May.

"Champ 'gon smoke em ... it's gonna look like [the fight] was pumped up for no reason."

So why such a big bet? 50 says he spoke with Floyd at the Chris Brown concert last month -- the first time they've spoken in a while -- and says Mayweather is SUPER focused.

It's interesting ... considering 50 bashed the hell out of Mayweather on social media last year ... ripping on everything from his spending habits to his reading ability.

Wanna see something funny?

Mike Tyson told us he hadn't seen the Ronda Rousey fight yet ... because he didn't have enough time!!!

Don't worry, our guy told Mike the fight was only 14 seconds ... and Mike promised he'd watch it in his car.

Mike -- who says he's a big Rousey fan -- is no stranger to quick fights ... he once knocked a guy out in 8 SECONDS.

Enjoy.

Ronda Rousey can rest a little easier -- she won't have to pay MILLIONS for a ticket to the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight ... 'cause she's getting her tix for free ... TMZ Sports has learned!

The UFC badass told us earlier this week that she was concerned about the ticket prices for the fight of the century -- saying she had extra motivation to win the prize money at UFC 184 tonight so she could afford to go.

But when we raised the issue last night with Bob Arum -- Pacquiao's fight promoter -- he told us he's not only a HUGE Rousey fan ... but wants to HOOK HER UP with the most coveted tickets in sports.

#Respect

Ex-UFC fighter Kenny Florian says boxing's days are numbered ... and the number is 64 ... 'cause that's how many days are left until the Mayweather/Pacquiao showdown, which Florian tells TMZ Sports is the sport's last hurrah.

Florian -- who was a UFC badass from '05 to '12 -- was out at The Grove in L.A. when we asked him about the future of the other sport where guys break each other's faces.

Check out the clip -- Kenny says after Mayweather and Manny dance ... the music is going to stop ... because all of the big stars in combat sports are over in the UFC ... and NOT in pro boxing.

One man who disagrees -- Mark Wahlberg who told us M vs. P is just the beginning of boxing renaissance.

Just one month after he swore off singing forever, Manny Pacquiao has pulled a Jay Z -- UNRETIRING from music ... to record a brand new song the Floyd Mayweather fight!

Manny hit the studio recently (according GMA News in the Philippines) and laid down the tracks for "Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino" ... which we're told translates to "I Fight for Filipinos."

Our Filipino translators tell us Manny recorded to song specifically for his entrance music for the May 2nd superfight in Vegas.

It's an interesting move ... since Manny appeared on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" last month and told us he stopped singing forever because, "I love music ... but I don't think music loves me."

#ChangeOfHeart

UFC pain machine Ronda Rousey says she has EXTRA motivation to beat the living crap out of her opponent at UFC 184 this weekend ... she needs the prize money to pay for tickets to Mayweather vs. Pacquaio!!

The baddest woman in the history of MMA was training her ass off in L.A. yesterday ... while the DJ pumped salsa music through the gym ... and looked extra ferocious as she gears up for Cat Zingano.

But when we asked about a rivalry between boxing and MMA ... Ronda called BS -- saying ALL combat fighters have a respect for each other ... and that's why she's pumped for the big fight in May.

Manny Pacquiao's teammates are calling BS on reports that he'll continue playing pro basketball while training for the big fight ... telling TMZ Sports the Pac-Man is definitely putting his other career on hold for the time being.

We spoke to Manny's teammates on Kia Carnival -- a professional hoops team in the Philippine Basketball Association -- and they tell us despite reports to the contrary Pacquiao is 100% shutting it down.

"He's definitely not going to play until after the Mayweather fight," guard Karl Dehesa tells us.

It makes sense ... the fight is expected to be the biggest payday in boxing history so it'd be kinda crazy to risk injury ... especially for a guy who averages less than a point a game.

Manny is also the head coach for Kia Carnival, but Dehesa says he's pressing pause on that too.

"He hasn't been around since they announced the fight ... he's got a team of assistants that take over when he can't be in games or practice."

Dehesa added, "I love playing for Kia Carnival. Manny's an inspiration and we are all rooting for him. Plus, we can't wait for him to get back on the court!"

Here's Floyd Mayweather chowing down on a hot dog at the Lakers game Sunday night.

Mike Tyson could be the next Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- at least in Algeria anyway -- where the boxing legend just scored himself a role punching a TON of people in a big Algerian action flick.

Tyson's one of the stars of "Gates of the Sun" ... where it appears he plays a goon for hire who beats the crap out of people on behalf of his employers.

The flick, which hits theaters in March, also stars former Kung Fu champ Lorie Pester and Algerian actor Smaïn (who may or may not be a big deal in Algeria, we're not really sure).

So, what's the plot? The mob moves to Algeria ... and it's up to a "a super secret agent, martial arts specialist, who will do anything to defend Algeria and destroy that organization."

Unclear which side Tyson's on ... but one thing's for sure -- he's gonna punch so many people.